Improvement in floor-clamps



FLOR-CLAMPS.

Jatented Feb. 6,1877.

wnnesscs:

TTORNHS.

UNITED STATES PATENT Orrron WILLAM H. TARRANT, OF EAU CLAIRE, WISGONSIN.

IMPROVEMENT IN FLOOR-CLAMPS.

Specification forming part oi' Letters Patent No- 187,066, dated February 6, 1877; application liled November 4, 1676.

T0 all whom igt may concem:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. TARRANT, of Eau Claire, in the county of Eau0laire and State of Wisconsn, have invented an Improvement in Floor-Olamps, of which the following is a specificaton:

In the aCcompanying drawing, Figure 1 represents a vertical longitudinal section, and Fig. 2 a top view, of my improved flooringclamp.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The invention refers to an improved flooringclamp that may be used for laying single or double flooring, being readily applied to the flooring-boards and joists, and held in position thereon for nailing them to the joists.

The invention consists of an eccentrio cam and lever that operates jointly a sliding bar for pushing the fiooring-board, and springacted and serrated cam-levers that bind on the joists for secnring the clamp-frame rigidly in position during W0rk.

In the drawing, A represents the main or supporting frameof my improved flooringclamp; and B the actuating-cam that is keyed eccentrically t0 a lateral pivot-shaft, a, torning in bearings of side standards A of frame A. A hand-lever, B, is rigidly secured to the actuating-cam B, for swinging the same forward or back. A pushing-bar, 0, is guided in ways b of the main frame, and connected with the actuating-cam by a lever, D, being pivoted to bar 0 at d, and applied to the cam by an encircling band, 6.

The broad forward end or jaw of the push- I ing-bar is preterably grooved t0 fit over the tongue of the fiooring-boards, so that the pressure Will be thrown on the shoulders at both sides of the tongue. The face of the jaw is covered with leather or similar material, to prevent injnry to the flooring.

The pushing-bar O connects, by a rearwardextending arm, E, With the pivotbolt of two cnrved levers, F, that extend through slots of the side standards A to the outside of the clamp. The enter ends of the curved levers E are pivoted to the ends of. cams F, that are eccentrically fulcrumed to the under side of the main frame symmetricafly to the longitudinal axis of the same. These cams F are serrated at the parts facing each other, the teeth being slanting outwardly for the purpose of causing them to bite into the sides of thejoist on which the clamping device is placed when the actuating cam and lever are turned forward.

The forward motion of the pushing-bar is jointly accomplished with the strong griping action of the serrated cams on the joist, so that the fiooring-board is pushed for-ward to form the joint with the adjoining board already laid.

A ratchet, f, of the actnating-cam B and pawl f et the connecting-lever D, serves to look the pushing-bar into position against the board, to admit the mailing of the same. When the actuating-cam is moved in opposite direction, the clamping action of the cams F is released, and the pushing-bar draw n back, the machine being then ready for the next joist. This is assisted by springs g bearin'g on the cams or levers, as shown in Fig. 2.

In laying double flooring, the two cams have to be detached, and a fulcrnmed ratchet-dog, G, at the rear end used in place ofthe same. The end et frame Ajust touches the ratchet-dog, when the same is driven into the fioor by a few light blows, so that the pressure is exerted on the ratchet close to the floor, enabling it to resist the saine for joining the boards.

A light blow on the opposite end of the ratchet-dog releases the same, for moving the clamp into position for laying the next board.

Having thns described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent The combination of supporting main frame A, side standards A, actuating-cam B, handlevei B, connecting-lever D, pushing-bar C, and rear-extending arm E, with jointed and spring-acted levers F, and fulcrumed clamping cams' or jaws F, all constructed substantially as shown and described.

WILLIAM H. TARBANT. Witnesses:

Tnos. TABRANT, SAMEL WHITE. 

